20/03/2020
COVID-19 Information
We wanted to inform you of the measures we are putting in place at Oak Lodge in light of the current circumstances regarding COVID-19.
It is our professional, personal and moral obligation to take care of ourselves, our families, our colleagues and our community.
As of Monday 23rd March (and until further notice), the following changes will take effect in line with current government guidance:-
The practice will remain open for routine examinations. Patients must be under 70 years of age, with no underlying medical conditions. Unless patients require a parent, carer or guardian to attend with them, they should attend appointments alone.
Emergency dental treatment will be provided, but no other dental procedures/treatment will be undertaken (except for routine examinations as described above), due to the risk of spreading the virus via water droplets (aerosol) produced during dental treatment
All Hygienist appointments will be cancelled. Due to the risk of spreading the virus via water droplets (aerosol) produced during hygiene treatment, this currently presents an unnecessary risk to both patients and hygienists
Our waiting area will be closed. You will need to wait in your car until the Dentist is ready to see you. Exceptions to this will be patients who have cycled or walked to the practice, who will be asked to socially distance themselves in our waiting area.
Anyone with a fever and/or new persistent cough is not to enter the Dental Practice. Please follow NHS111 guidance
The use of alcohol gel, and/or handwashing is encouraged for all patients attending the practice
Clinical staff will continue to adhere to strict hygiene and infection control protocols - this is standard practice
The card payment machine, iPads, and door handles will be cleaned between patients
Please note that we will be contacting patients individually to inform of any cancellations. Hygienist appointments booked further into this year will be kept in the diary, in the hope that we will be running our usual service by this time.
We will not be rescheduling cancelled appointments, or sending any reminders to book appointments until we have clear guidance to do so.
By following the current available guidance and making these changes we are considering the best interests of our patients and staff, and we are hopeful we can resume 'normality' as soon as possible.
We thank you for your patience and understanding. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions, but do bear with us if you are unable to get through to us immediately by telephone - our line will be very busy for the next week or so. Outside of working hours, our answerphone will be on.
Stay well.
With best wishes,
Alex, Kathryn and the team
Oak Lodge Dental Practice
Check for symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). Answer questions and find out what to do if you have coronavirus. Find out where you can get help if you have a cough, shortness of breath or a high temperature. General advice about how coronavirus spreads and how to avoid infection.
